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The Northern Shifter Legacies #1
True North
The rejection was only the beginning.
I'm fine being the pack wallflower until my fated mate rejects me, sending me off to lick my wounds with my sister’s pack. I build a comfortable life with the new pack, content to settle where I am as I ward off suitors whose interest isn’t entirely noble.
Until my presence puts the pack in danger.
My only choice is to run, but I don't count on an overzealous shifter forcing me onto the pack land of Alpha Dominic himself. It’s been three years since he rejected me, but my wolf seems to think it never happened at all.
Now, I’m desperate to run again, even if it means accepting life as a rogue. But Dominic has other ideas, and he’s happy to keep me in his pack house against my will until I’m ready to comply.
When my family’s forgotten legacy is recovered—bringing a rush of power I didn’t know I had—I have to decide if it’s easier working with the Alpha or against him.
After all, the fates don’t take kindly to being ignored.
And Dominic and I?
We’re double-fated.
True North is the first full-length novel in the The Northern Shifter Legacies series that will continue with Tasha’s story in Due North and Tevin’s story in New North. This series ends in a HEA for all three couples.
I'm fine being the pack wallflower until my fated mate rejects me, sending me off to lick my wounds with my sister’s pack. I build a comfortable life with the new pack, content to settle where I am as I ward off suitors whose interest isn’t entirely noble.
Until my presence puts the pack in danger.
My only choice is to run, but I don't count on an overzealous shifter forcing me onto the pack land of Alpha Dominic himself. It’s been three years since he rejected me, but my wolf seems to think it never happened at all.
Now, I’m desperate to run again, even if it means accepting life as a rogue. But Dominic has other ideas, and he’s happy to keep me in his pack house against my will until I’m ready to comply.
When my family’s forgotten legacy is recovered—bringing a rush of power I didn’t know I had—I have to decide if it’s easier working with the Alpha or against him.
After all, the fates don’t take kindly to being ignored.
And Dominic and I?
We’re double-fated.
True North is the first full-length novel in the The Northern Shifter Legacies series that will continue with Tasha’s story in Due North and Tevin’s story in New North. This series ends in a HEA for all three couples.
368 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 25, 2021
1229 people are currently reading
1026 people want to read
About the author
Kelsey Gamble
21 books69 followersKelsey Gamble is the passion-project pen name of writers Christine George and Cassie Kelsey. They enjoy writing paranormal romance stories that focus on characters finding their own strength while also learning that no one fights alone.
Upcoming projects include more shifter stories, a foray into vampires, and an expansive fantasy universe.
Upcoming projects include more shifter stories, a foray into vampires, and an expansive fantasy universe.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 220 reviews
September 17, 2021
I'm almost halfway and I just can't take it any more. It's the same beats over and over again and there are two things making me crazy. First, this whole "smell" thing bothers me the longer it goes on. It's creepy on its face, but having guys just want her because she's so enticing has two awful ramifications that I hate more than a little. First, it means that she's under constant threat and needs to be protected all the time. The author does a decent job showing her inner strength but that's kind of a crappy hand to be dealt by fate. But it also robs the males of their volition in ways that I find horrible. Like, they can't have a better self because a thing intrinsic to her overcomes their own proclivities and/or judgement. It's one step away from victim blaming and has eerie resonance with boys being hopped up hormonally by seeing a pretty girl. Only you can't blame them because she's supernaturally yummy.
The second problem I have is that Dominic is a wanker. I mean literally, but also he's just a giant douche canoe. And he's completely immune to good sense or learning. It was bad enough that his reasons for rejecting her in the first place are stupid and surface. Oh no, she's short and unobtrusive so can't have her for a big stud bossman like him! So he rejects their mate bond once and then later learns that they're "twice fated" (just ugh, but whatevs). So they're still bound though nobody seems to know about this possibility. So he takes that knowledge and pfaffs about with it and doesn't tell her it's a thing. So he's relying on this effect and keeping her ignorant of it to leverage his knowledge advantage while he "tries things out" to see if he can stand being with her even though she's tiny. And I was continuing along even so because her rejecting him was a nice balance. And people are telling him, "you know, you might want to get to know her a little and see what she wants and expects in a mate". And he completely ignores this and proceeds on the same plan he has had all along of "I'll just keep her near until she inevitably gives in." Because failing repeatedly is a good recommendation for a plan.
It's so stupid I just can't keep going. And the plot so far has been the same scene playing out with minor variations. He forces her to stay with him. She runs. She's compelled by some means to return. Repeat. The details shift but it's still the same emotional beat. Over. And Over. And Over. And I'm just over it.
The second problem I have is that Dominic is a wanker. I mean literally, but also he's just a giant douche canoe. And he's completely immune to good sense or learning. It was bad enough that his reasons for rejecting her in the first place are stupid and surface. Oh no, she's short and unobtrusive so can't have her for a big stud bossman like him! So he rejects their mate bond once and then later learns that they're "twice fated" (just ugh, but whatevs). So they're still bound though nobody seems to know about this possibility. So he takes that knowledge and pfaffs about with it and doesn't tell her it's a thing. So he's relying on this effect and keeping her ignorant of it to leverage his knowledge advantage while he "tries things out" to see if he can stand being with her even though she's tiny. And I was continuing along even so because her rejecting him was a nice balance. And people are telling him, "you know, you might want to get to know her a little and see what she wants and expects in a mate". And he completely ignores this and proceeds on the same plan he has had all along of "I'll just keep her near until she inevitably gives in." Because failing repeatedly is a good recommendation for a plan.
It's so stupid I just can't keep going. And the plot so far has been the same scene playing out with minor variations. He forces her to stay with him. She runs. She's compelled by some means to return. Repeat. The details shift but it's still the same emotional beat. Over. And Over. And Over. And I'm just over it.
August 13, 2021
Typical
***spoiler***
So this is a typical book where the heroine was rejected by her mate. Later he treats her like crap, holds her hostage, disrespects her at every turn, and do not care to feed or cloth her properly. He ignores her requests and orders her around. This of course makes her love him and want to give up her virginity. But it’s worth it since he complains about waiting for her to adjust to his size and threatens to ram in her so hard that she hits her head to the wall, if she looks away, as he is taking her virginity. Great guy, that one.
***spoiler***
So this is a typical book where the heroine was rejected by her mate. Later he treats her like crap, holds her hostage, disrespects her at every turn, and do not care to feed or cloth her properly. He ignores her requests and orders her around. This of course makes her love him and want to give up her virginity. But it’s worth it since he complains about waiting for her to adjust to his size and threatens to ram in her so hard that she hits her head to the wall, if she looks away, as he is taking her virginity. Great guy, that one.
June 21, 2021
Dnf at 50%
Apparently the heroine has a smell that attracts all the guys towards her...even the hero (alpha’s) beta (loyal one he is) and also the guys who are mated wants her. 🤦🏽♀️😩 i am sssoooo over this trope where the heroine “is not like the other girls”, i kinda liked her cuz she didnt let the hero walk over her even when he rejected her but that whole everyone wants her has to retire now. It started getting annoying when even the mated guys wanted her. Hero is a jerk who rejected her but then keeps her forcefully in his house and also forgets to feed her😶🤚and then looks at her as if she is the one to blame.
Apparently the heroine has a smell that attracts all the guys towards her...even the hero (alpha’s) beta (loyal one he is) and also the guys who are mated wants her. 🤦🏽♀️😩 i am sssoooo over this trope where the heroine “is not like the other girls”, i kinda liked her cuz she didnt let the hero walk over her even when he rejected her but that whole everyone wants her has to retire now. It started getting annoying when even the mated guys wanted her. Hero is a jerk who rejected her but then keeps her forcefully in his house and also forgets to feed her😶🤚and then looks at her as if she is the one to blame.
September 22, 2021
.
I quite enjoyed this but was a little underwhelmed with it by the end. Hence the 3 stars.
This is one of those paranormal set ups where the humans are supposed to be in the dark about the supernatural. But it was pretty impossible to believe that with the world building here.
And usually I don't nit pick about that because it would be almost impossible to keep that kind of thing secret, no matter what. But here, the author does some pretty decent world building so I was expecting... more.
Anyways,
Tess meets Dominic for the first time just before her 'first' shift when she turns 18. He's an ass. Then she meets him literally seconds after her shift that was super painful and scary. They instantly recognize each other as mates and he takes this time to kick her to the paranormal curb.
He doesn't even talk to her first! He just sees a petite young girl who is unsure of herself (being only 18 duh!) and just dumps her because he doesn't think she would be good mate material.
And this storyline is the biggest part of the book. There's mysterious rogue wolves and a mysterious wolf with red hair who may or may not be a good guy. There's murder and just all kinds of ominous things going on. But the story is mostly about Tess and Dominic getting a second chance.
So it was disappointing that the author didn't have Dominic's stance against Tess change more obviously. Tess was great! She stands up for herself and she doesn't bend to Dominic's will at all.
She reacts how I would expect her to react. No doormat here. And yet, I felt the opportunity for a nice grovel and apology from Dominic was lost.
I mean, according to the world building in this one, it physically hurts a lot to be rejected by your mate. It also means that not only are you rejecting a mate, but you are making defacto, that the other person will never have a true mate either.
He feels a wee bit remorseful in his head once or twice, but he never feels like an idiot for rejecting her the way he did or even really regretting that he did it. His thoughts about her were more about quantifying her good and bad points. His only ILY towards the very end was kinda lackluster and her acceptance of it was even less convincing. His apology is very brief and she brushes it off, which makes it's impact even less.
I still like both MCs. I still believe they will have an HEA, but the ending didn't feel like it got to that level of intimacy. They were still way too abrasive together.
The whole second half of the story felt kind of unfocused and jumps around A LOT.
But I would still read this author again. She has potential.
Safety is good
But I intend to read more by this author.
I quite enjoyed this but was a little underwhelmed with it by the end. Hence the 3 stars.
This is one of those paranormal set ups where the humans are supposed to be in the dark about the supernatural. But it was pretty impossible to believe that with the world building here.
And usually I don't nit pick about that because it would be almost impossible to keep that kind of thing secret, no matter what. But here, the author does some pretty decent world building so I was expecting... more.
Anyways,
Tess meets Dominic for the first time just before her 'first' shift when she turns 18. He's an ass. Then she meets him literally seconds after her shift that was super painful and scary. They instantly recognize each other as mates and he takes this time to kick her to the paranormal curb.
He doesn't even talk to her first! He just sees a petite young girl who is unsure of herself (being only 18 duh!) and just dumps her because he doesn't think she would be good mate material.
And this storyline is the biggest part of the book. There's mysterious rogue wolves and a mysterious wolf with red hair who may or may not be a good guy. There's murder and just all kinds of ominous things going on. But the story is mostly about Tess and Dominic getting a second chance.
So it was disappointing that the author didn't have Dominic's stance against Tess change more obviously. Tess was great! She stands up for herself and she doesn't bend to Dominic's will at all.
She reacts how I would expect her to react. No doormat here. And yet, I felt the opportunity for a nice grovel and apology from Dominic was lost.
I mean, according to the world building in this one, it physically hurts a lot to be rejected by your mate. It also means that not only are you rejecting a mate, but you are making defacto, that the other person will never have a true mate either.
He feels a wee bit remorseful in his head once or twice, but he never feels like an idiot for rejecting her the way he did or even really regretting that he did it. His thoughts about her were more about quantifying her good and bad points. His only ILY towards the very end was kinda lackluster and her acceptance of it was even less convincing. His apology is very brief and she brushes it off, which makes it's impact even less.
I still like both MCs. I still believe they will have an HEA, but the ending didn't feel like it got to that level of intimacy. They were still way too abrasive together.
The whole second half of the story felt kind of unfocused and jumps around A LOT.
But I would still read this author again. She has potential.
Safety is good
But I intend to read more by this author.
May 13, 2022
I’m pretty impressed that this is a debut author it was well done and easily kept my attention. It’s a shifter rejected mate story I’ve read a few of this type of trope lately here we introduce the idea of getting a second chance as the rejection and its acceptance didn’t quite stick. I’m not usually of a fan of second chances but taken in this context I didn’t mind.
So Alpha Dominic Parker rejects his fated mate Tess Jarreau on the night of her first shift at eighteen leaving her broken and heartsick. His reasoning is lame he sees her as unworthy and weak I think mostly due to her small stature and age. He’s the Alpha of one of the most formidable packs in North America and wants a Luna he feels is strong.
He makes a snap decision based on unfounded assumptions as he doesn’t really know Tess. Licking her wounds Tess seeks sanctuary within her sister’s mates pack. Fast-forward three years and a rogue attack sees Tess running she is filled with self-blame and just wants to get away. She inadvertently finds herself back in the crosshairs of Dominic and this time he won’t let her go.
So Dominic is confused he still doesn’t want the little shifter but his wolf is also pining for her and the longer he spends with Tess the more he realises he may have made a mistake in being so hasty. Tess is nothing like he imagined in fact she is everything he wants. The only problem is Tess quite rightly wants nothing to do with him.
So I enjoyed this there’s also lots of outside stuff going on here so it was action-packed throughout. I loved that Tess was so strong and didn’t cave easily making Dominic work for it. I personally would have liked more of a grovel on Dom’s part I don’t think he did enough to actually make up for what a complete tosser he was too poor Tess originally. I wanted him to beg for her forgiveness I’m sadistic like that and maybe think he had totally lost her that would have been grand as karma is a real bitch and that would have been the icing for me.
Still, he did grow on me and though originally very arrogant and close-minded he became much more likeable the more he became emotionally entangled with Tess. This dropped some breadcrumbs for future books in the series and it was well written. An impressive debut book I will definitely read the next in the series which I believe focuses on the sister Tasha.
Reviewed By Beckie Bookworm
https://www.facebook.com/beckiebookworm/
www.beckiebookworm.com
March 15, 2022
First, I want to give props… The writing/finished product is solid… and pretty amazing for a new KU author.
“I, Alpha Dominic Parker, reject you, Tess Jarreau, as my mate.”
This isn’t a heartbreaking angst-filled rejected mate scenario. Dominic rejects her, but for a silly reason. (no OW) Then we FFW three years over any fallout to a stable Tess flirting with the idea of mating with her current alpha… which snuffed out my feels.
Pro’s…
✅ rejection
✅ strong h
✅ second chance
✅ h doesn't immediately roll over
Con’s…
❌ silly reason for the rejection (short/wimpy looking)
❌ SLOW burn with long stretches of spinning wheels
❌ underwhelming finale
❌ no real remorse or grovel from H
Bottom Line- Ok, but reads more like a shifter second chance than a rejection. I enjoyed it enough not to skim but not enough to continue the series. The middle was really slow but the ending felt rushed. There was so much build up/sense of urgency leading up to the last battle, but it fizzled to a non-event. The other books might pick up, there just wasn’t enough action/romance to hook me.
Safety- She’s a virgin, but I think this has more to do with her being weary since her sexy smell causes her to constantly be approached by males than pining for Dominic. (since she was planning on agreeing to mate w/ Callum) He’s been celibate since he rejected her. No OW drama at all.
“I, Alpha Dominic Parker, reject you, Tess Jarreau, as my mate.”
This isn’t a heartbreaking angst-filled rejected mate scenario. Dominic rejects her, but for a silly reason. (no OW) Then we FFW three years over any fallout to a stable Tess flirting with the idea of mating with her current alpha… which snuffed out my feels.
Pro’s…
✅ rejection
✅ strong h
✅ second chance
✅ h doesn't immediately roll over
Con’s…
❌ silly reason for the rejection (short/wimpy looking)
❌ SLOW burn with long stretches of spinning wheels
❌ underwhelming finale
❌ no real remorse or grovel from H
Bottom Line- Ok, but reads more like a shifter second chance than a rejection. I enjoyed it enough not to skim but not enough to continue the series. The middle was really slow but the ending felt rushed. There was so much build up/sense of urgency leading up to the last battle, but it fizzled to a non-event. The other books might pick up, there just wasn’t enough action/romance to hook me.
Safety- She’s a virgin, but I think this has more to do with her being weary since her sexy smell causes her to constantly be approached by males than pining for Dominic. (since she was planning on agreeing to mate w/ Callum) He’s been celibate since he rejected her. No OW drama at all.
January 27, 2022
This is one of the better rejected-second chances shifter story.
Double fated, you see!
There's a bit of mystery about her family background going on. So, the very thing that had her rejected in the first place - her family's mysterious past - turns out in her favor.
The second and third book are about her siblings.
Double fated, you see!
There's a bit of mystery about her family background going on. So, the very thing that had her rejected in the first place - her family's mysterious past - turns out in her favor.
The second and third book are about her siblings.
November 13, 2021
3.5 stars.
Good debut novel.
The alpha H from the most powerful pack in the North America rejects the h as his mate because she’s too short lol.😂😂😂
But no worries, the h has this incredible scent that every male can’t stop obsessing over… including the H.
- cons: super slow burn!
Good debut novel.
The alpha H from the most powerful pack in the North America rejects the h as his mate because she’s too short lol.😂😂😂
But no worries, the h has this incredible scent that every male can’t stop obsessing over… including the H.
- cons: super slow burn!
March 17, 2021
“Always the wallflower, Tess Jarreau.”
Tess is a wolf shifter who has a very peculiar scent and attracts all the wolves to her despite her nonchalant personality about it. Tess wants her mate and her mate only.
On her 18th birthday and her first shift into her wolf, her mate shows up. Dominic Parker is less than thrilled with what he sees with Tess being what he considers small and scrawny. He ends up rejecting his mate.
This is something that usually destroys wolves but Tess is stronger than she knows and she moves on with life. She eventually settles with her sisters and her mates pack.
Fast forward a few years we see that Tess still hasn’t mated with anyone, although she figures she might give it a try with someone. And then tragedy strikes with rogues heading to their pack and destroying everything that she ever knew. That’s when Dominic sends some of his pack to help with the rogue issue.
Not wanting to be anywhere near Dominic, she ends up forced to go onto his pack lands by his Beta. Being that she’s injured she figures that she can quickly heal up and she’ll be on her way. Nothing is ever that easy though because Dominic finds her. And this time he’s not so keen on letting her go.
So this is definitely an enemies to lovers, fated mates, second chance, slow burn. And this book was written flawlessly. Everything was paced to perfection. The world building and the character building was written really well. I loved diving into the minds of both Tess and Dominic and seeing how their relationship builds up from nothing. In fact Tess detested Dominic for quite some time.
It was Dominic who ended up having to grovel a bit and really work his way back into Tess’s good graces.
“Respect is everything in my pack. I’m known for garnering a great deal of it. If anyone realizes the full extent of how insolent Tess has been with me, it would fracture everything I’ve built. Not to mention it’s a serious blow to my ego. “
Tess isn’t your average submissive weak female. From high school to present time she has really shown immense strength. And it’s a good thing that she found her strength because she’s going to need it with all the drama that has started in book one. Nothing is going to come easy for this couple. They have rogue issues, drama with the unknown power Tess shields, and family drama.
This book is packed full of literally everything that readers want in a PNR wolf shifter book.
It does leave off on a HEA for now. But the next books will definitely give us more answers to the things that we don’t understand yet in book 1.
And as for the steam? There’s a few scenes where you will definitely get some juicy sexyness. 😉
This was an ARC copy I signed up to receive, this is my honest review. 5/5
Tess is a wolf shifter who has a very peculiar scent and attracts all the wolves to her despite her nonchalant personality about it. Tess wants her mate and her mate only.
On her 18th birthday and her first shift into her wolf, her mate shows up. Dominic Parker is less than thrilled with what he sees with Tess being what he considers small and scrawny. He ends up rejecting his mate.
This is something that usually destroys wolves but Tess is stronger than she knows and she moves on with life. She eventually settles with her sisters and her mates pack.
Fast forward a few years we see that Tess still hasn’t mated with anyone, although she figures she might give it a try with someone. And then tragedy strikes with rogues heading to their pack and destroying everything that she ever knew. That’s when Dominic sends some of his pack to help with the rogue issue.
Not wanting to be anywhere near Dominic, she ends up forced to go onto his pack lands by his Beta. Being that she’s injured she figures that she can quickly heal up and she’ll be on her way. Nothing is ever that easy though because Dominic finds her. And this time he’s not so keen on letting her go.
So this is definitely an enemies to lovers, fated mates, second chance, slow burn. And this book was written flawlessly. Everything was paced to perfection. The world building and the character building was written really well. I loved diving into the minds of both Tess and Dominic and seeing how their relationship builds up from nothing. In fact Tess detested Dominic for quite some time.
It was Dominic who ended up having to grovel a bit and really work his way back into Tess’s good graces.
“Respect is everything in my pack. I’m known for garnering a great deal of it. If anyone realizes the full extent of how insolent Tess has been with me, it would fracture everything I’ve built. Not to mention it’s a serious blow to my ego. “
Tess isn’t your average submissive weak female. From high school to present time she has really shown immense strength. And it’s a good thing that she found her strength because she’s going to need it with all the drama that has started in book one. Nothing is going to come easy for this couple. They have rogue issues, drama with the unknown power Tess shields, and family drama.
This book is packed full of literally everything that readers want in a PNR wolf shifter book.
It does leave off on a HEA for now. But the next books will definitely give us more answers to the things that we don’t understand yet in book 1.
And as for the steam? There’s a few scenes where you will definitely get some juicy sexyness. 😉
This was an ARC copy I signed up to receive, this is my honest review. 5/5
January 16, 2022
I thought I’d give the rejected mate trope another go. And it was so so. I liked the heroine she is tough, strong and managed to kickarse. I didn’t like the Hero he was an absolute douchecanoe.
This is the author’s debut which is a solid start to the series and with the interesting premise it was enjoyable to read. But what I found slightly odd was that Tess always had this certain smell to her and everyone kept on going on about it.
This is the author’s debut which is a solid start to the series and with the interesting premise it was enjoyable to read. But what I found slightly odd was that Tess always had this certain smell to her and everyone kept on going on about it.
September 6, 2022
Well this one was a pleasant surprise, I’ve read some reviews and it seemed interesting so I gave it a try. And I wasn’t disappointed.
It’s some kind of cute story of shifters with some magic in it.
The heroine is the mate of a grumpy and fierce alpha male and she happens to find it out at her first shift at 18. They haven’t met - not yet, since he’s from another pack.
So when he sees her and recognize her he rejects her immediately. And she’s more irritated than hurt so she accepts his rejection and runs away.
The reason for his rejection? She’s too small. Yes, as in petite. Of small height. Poor girl.
Lol! This is why it was cute. Because there was never a more silly reason for rejection than small size.
Ok, three years later they meet again.
She’s with another pack where her sister has been living with her mate, and she’s close to the alpha of that pack, working with him.
They are attacked by some rogues and she accidentally gets caught by wolves of the hero’s pack.
Caught as in taken. And not in a bad manner, because it seems that the heroine has a scent that is irresistible to all males. They just want her for themselves. So when the hero’s beta takes her - just to have her near him- the hero finds her and takes her himself.
I was laughing all the way. Because the image of this poor petite girl coveted by every male around was really fun and silly!
The hero, even if he doesn’t want her as a mate thinking she will be a weakness for the pack, can’t let her go and we’ll he’s just nasty and awful to her, forgetting to feed her and not giving her proper clothes. It was infuriating but the heroine is a spunky lil bitch and gives as much as she takes.
So as the story goes and the hero starts feeling something more than irritation for her, we find out she’s got superpowers that makes her much stronger than all the wolves around her.
She gleams, she break the earth in two, the stops stronger wolves on their steps, and she has also a super dagger similar to the ones in star wars.
Ok, then eventually the hero must grovel for his mistakes in rejecting her, and still she rejects him another time before she can forgive him and accept him as her mate.
The book is the first of a series I suppose but it has its happy ending with the hero and the heroine together.
It was maybe a lil too long and the second part could have been sped up a lil, but it was pleasant and interesting even with all the magic and other characters in it.
The hero was a colossal sob but he redeemed himself even if I wasn’t impressed because imo he did too little too late.
Not so much care for her feelings when he first rejected her.
Both were celibate during the 3 years apart so it’s a safe reading.
It’s some kind of cute story of shifters with some magic in it.
The heroine is the mate of a grumpy and fierce alpha male and she happens to find it out at her first shift at 18. They haven’t met - not yet, since he’s from another pack.
So when he sees her and recognize her he rejects her immediately. And she’s more irritated than hurt so she accepts his rejection and runs away.
The reason for his rejection? She’s too small. Yes, as in petite. Of small height. Poor girl.
Lol! This is why it was cute. Because there was never a more silly reason for rejection than small size.
Ok, three years later they meet again.
She’s with another pack where her sister has been living with her mate, and she’s close to the alpha of that pack, working with him.
They are attacked by some rogues and she accidentally gets caught by wolves of the hero’s pack.
Caught as in taken. And not in a bad manner, because it seems that the heroine has a scent that is irresistible to all males. They just want her for themselves. So when the hero’s beta takes her - just to have her near him- the hero finds her and takes her himself.
I was laughing all the way. Because the image of this poor petite girl coveted by every male around was really fun and silly!
The hero, even if he doesn’t want her as a mate thinking she will be a weakness for the pack, can’t let her go and we’ll he’s just nasty and awful to her, forgetting to feed her and not giving her proper clothes. It was infuriating but the heroine is a spunky lil bitch and gives as much as she takes.
So as the story goes and the hero starts feeling something more than irritation for her, we find out she’s got superpowers that makes her much stronger than all the wolves around her.
She gleams, she break the earth in two, the stops stronger wolves on their steps, and she has also a super dagger similar to the ones in star wars.
Ok, then eventually the hero must grovel for his mistakes in rejecting her, and still she rejects him another time before she can forgive him and accept him as her mate.
The book is the first of a series I suppose but it has its happy ending with the hero and the heroine together.
It was maybe a lil too long and the second part could have been sped up a lil, but it was pleasant and interesting even with all the magic and other characters in it.
The hero was a colossal sob but he redeemed himself even if I wasn’t impressed because imo he did too little too late.
Not so much care for her feelings when he first rejected her.
Both were celibate during the 3 years apart so it’s a safe reading.
July 31, 2022
4.5
I was very impressed with this story.
There was a bit of a rocky start since the first few chapters made me think that this would be a stereotypical rejected mate story set in high school.
But after Tess's first shift when she runs into her mate and answers his rejection with a cool acceptance, I became an instant fan. Luckily, her wallflower personality does not last beyond these first few chapters.
The rest of the story takes place a few years into the future, where Tess is 21 and making a life for herself without pining over the rejection. I absolutely loved the adult version of her. She's a very well rounded character and easy to root for. I adored her wolf as well. I can't get enough of shifter books where the heroine is in touch with her shifter side 😁
I hated the hero, Dominic, at first. He's an interesting character though and he genuinely grew on me as the story progressed. (It helped that Tess was not a pushover to him at all.) He's a grump, a little emotionally oblivious, arrogant, and extremely possessive. But he wasn't a bad guy. By the end of the novel, you don't doubt his love for Tess and his quirks actually become cute around her.
There was a sly humor to this story that actually had me laughing. The pack politics felt "full" and well thought out, which is exactly what I like in a shifter PNR. The supporting characters were great. Dom and Tess were both good leaders, which made me respect them.
The only thing I had a problem with was the transition of Dom's character growth. I think if there were a few more self reflecting moments, that would've been good.
I will definitely read the next book in this series.
Also, I gotta say that I was happy to see that the author refrained from making this a trilogy!! There was def enough content. But instead, she wrote a very nice 400 page story with a good ending.
I was very impressed with this story.
There was a bit of a rocky start since the first few chapters made me think that this would be a stereotypical rejected mate story set in high school.
But after Tess's first shift when she runs into her mate and answers his rejection with a cool acceptance, I became an instant fan. Luckily, her wallflower personality does not last beyond these first few chapters.
The rest of the story takes place a few years into the future, where Tess is 21 and making a life for herself without pining over the rejection. I absolutely loved the adult version of her. She's a very well rounded character and easy to root for. I adored her wolf as well. I can't get enough of shifter books where the heroine is in touch with her shifter side 😁
I hated the hero, Dominic, at first. He's an interesting character though and he genuinely grew on me as the story progressed. (It helped that Tess was not a pushover to him at all.) He's a grump, a little emotionally oblivious, arrogant, and extremely possessive. But he wasn't a bad guy. By the end of the novel, you don't doubt his love for Tess and his quirks actually become cute around her.
There was a sly humor to this story that actually had me laughing. The pack politics felt "full" and well thought out, which is exactly what I like in a shifter PNR. The supporting characters were great. Dom and Tess were both good leaders, which made me respect them.
The only thing I had a problem with was the transition of Dom's character growth. I think if there were a few more self reflecting moments, that would've been good.
I will definitely read the next book in this series.
Also, I gotta say that I was happy to see that the author refrained from making this a trilogy!! There was def enough content. But instead, she wrote a very nice 400 page story with a good ending.
March 30, 2021
I was totally into the story until, she starts lying and withholding things making things worse, and its obvious she's going to stay with the ass hat that rejected her looked down on her told her to her face that she was unworthy to be with him, then someone else is interested she got more attractive and strong he wants her. I'm tired of the prick getting the girl, and soo tired of these supposed strong woman having no self esteem.
March 24, 2021
Solid debut from this author! Rejected mates are all the rage right now- but Kelsey buts a new spin on it. What happens if a rejection doesn't "stick?" And what is excusable or forgivable in a mating bond? Kelsey explores the concept of a second chance when it comes to rejected mates, especially when nature doubles down when nurture fails. True North creates a vivid and memorable world and cast of characters that had this being a fast and energizing read.
The story is certainly engaging and has emotional resonance. The characters are nuanced and interesting- our heroine's story of emerging strength is one I love in shifter stories. And, our hero, well he still has some groveling and explaining to do for me - he wasn't quite redeemed, though I found him captivating enough. The world building is complex and well articulate- and while I have some questions I'm still contemplating when it comes to this world and these characters, I think this is a promising and interesting series I'm excited to follow.
If this is just the first from Kelsey Gamble, I'm excited to see just where she goes next.
The story is certainly engaging and has emotional resonance. The characters are nuanced and interesting- our heroine's story of emerging strength is one I love in shifter stories. And, our hero, well he still has some groveling and explaining to do for me - he wasn't quite redeemed, though I found him captivating enough. The world building is complex and well articulate- and while I have some questions I'm still contemplating when it comes to this world and these characters, I think this is a promising and interesting series I'm excited to follow.
If this is just the first from Kelsey Gamble, I'm excited to see just where she goes next.
September 8, 2023
This held my interest until about 50 percent but by then it was just the same ole push back about 10 times too many. It had potential and probably should have been about 320 pages.
March 30, 2021
Who? What? When? Where? Why? How?
The average height of an adult women in the U.S. is 5’4”. Nevertheless it was extremely important for the author to impress upon readers that the fmc, Tess, is small, tiny, short, petite, fragile, and a generally minuscule person. Considering the mmc, Dominic, is described as “four times her size”, he is somewhere between 7 and 20 feet tall and/or she is the size of a toddler. Regardless, it makes for strange characterization. Honestly, I could not recall a single identifying piece of information about either of the protagonists other than their heights. Blonde hair? Red? Brown? Black? Long? Short? Straight? Curly? No idea. I couldn’t actually describe anything about the fmc. Does she like to read? Watch tv? Knit? Is she kind or thoughtful or generous? Again, it never comes up. Her “superpower” that makes her the ultimate Mary Sue is that she has a powerful body odor (no, I am not joking. I wish I were.).
The secondary part of my critique is that the average age of an adult women when she marries is 28. Neurologically, people’s brains are still developing through the age of 24, yet, much like the off-kilter sizes, the fmc is 18-21 when she meets her “mate” and has become an expert in literally everything. How old is Dominic? Again, no idea. It doesn’t come up.
And, finally, SPOILER ALERT, I skipped to the end and was unsurprised to find out that, within a matter of days, Tess had become some kind of expert warrior, taken over the pack, and was well on her way to becoming an ultimate supreme God-like entity with all the powers.
The average height of an adult women in the U.S. is 5’4”. Nevertheless it was extremely important for the author to impress upon readers that the fmc, Tess, is small, tiny, short, petite, fragile, and a generally minuscule person. Considering the mmc, Dominic, is described as “four times her size”, he is somewhere between 7 and 20 feet tall and/or she is the size of a toddler. Regardless, it makes for strange characterization. Honestly, I could not recall a single identifying piece of information about either of the protagonists other than their heights. Blonde hair? Red? Brown? Black? Long? Short? Straight? Curly? No idea. I couldn’t actually describe anything about the fmc. Does she like to read? Watch tv? Knit? Is she kind or thoughtful or generous? Again, it never comes up. Her “superpower” that makes her the ultimate Mary Sue is that she has a powerful body odor (no, I am not joking. I wish I were.).
The secondary part of my critique is that the average age of an adult women when she marries is 28. Neurologically, people’s brains are still developing through the age of 24, yet, much like the off-kilter sizes, the fmc is 18-21 when she meets her “mate” and has become an expert in literally everything. How old is Dominic? Again, no idea. It doesn’t come up.
And, finally, SPOILER ALERT, I skipped to the end and was unsurprised to find out that, within a matter of days, Tess had become some kind of expert warrior, taken over the pack, and was well on her way to becoming an ultimate supreme God-like entity with all the powers.
March 1, 2022
Another book with a "I don't know I'm beautiful" protagonist every nearest american guy falls in love with.
Here we go again.
Here we go again.
August 27, 2021
True North
By Kelsey Gamble
It's Tess's 18th birthday and her first time to shift and she's hoping to find her fated mate soon. She's devastated when her mate, Dominic, is someone she doesn't know and after looking her over once he immediately rejects her. She accepts his rejection and moves to her sisters pack in hopes of a new start.
After being chased onto a neighboring packs land by rogues Tess meets her mate again. Both of them are confused that they continue to feel the pull and not understanding why until they find out they are double-fated. Can Tess and Dominic work things out between them? And what's with the green glow around Tess at times?
This is the first book I've read by this author and as far as I can tell this is the first book she's written. I have to say it was a pretty great one too. I really liked both Tess and Dominic. I liked Tess's strong personality. She didn't start out that way, but over the years since Dominic rejected her she worked hard to learn to stand up for herself. Dominic may be an a$$, but he's not a complete a$$. He's a strong alpha who thinks of his packs needs first more than anything else. The story kept me intrigued until the end.
I knew this was a series, but assumed it was a 3 book series only about Dominic and Tess's relationship. It's not. Dom and Tess are the first book. Tess's sister Tasha and her 2nd mate are the second book. (Whom we spent quite a bit of time with in this book.) Tess and Tasha's brother, Trevin, and his fated mate are the third book. (Who we heard little about and didn't meet at all.) During all three books is the background story of the Jarreau family (the three T's) and their family's legendary status that they didn’t even know about. This first book was not a HEA. It was a HFN. I later read somewhere that all three siblings get their HEA in the third book.
Not all questions were answered in the first book. Not even all questions about Tess's abilities were answered. So there is a bit of a cliff hanger.
Things in the book I'm extremely happy about:
1) No physical or verbal abuse between MMC & FMC.
2) No cheating.
3) No reverse harem. (Thank God!)
4) Lots of twists and surprises.
5) Tess and Tasha get along. (A nice change.)
The one thing I'm unhappy about is that this book just came out and we'll be waiting until October 2021 for Tasha's story and January 2022 for Tevin's. *sniffles and throws mini tantrum*
The book is in both Tess and Dominic's POV. The angst level is on the... I can't decide whether the high end of low or the low end of medium. Somewhere in there.
By Kelsey Gamble
It's Tess's 18th birthday and her first time to shift and she's hoping to find her fated mate soon. She's devastated when her mate, Dominic, is someone she doesn't know and after looking her over once he immediately rejects her. She accepts his rejection and moves to her sisters pack in hopes of a new start.
After being chased onto a neighboring packs land by rogues Tess meets her mate again. Both of them are confused that they continue to feel the pull and not understanding why until they find out they are double-fated. Can Tess and Dominic work things out between them? And what's with the green glow around Tess at times?
This is the first book I've read by this author and as far as I can tell this is the first book she's written. I have to say it was a pretty great one too. I really liked both Tess and Dominic. I liked Tess's strong personality. She didn't start out that way, but over the years since Dominic rejected her she worked hard to learn to stand up for herself. Dominic may be an a$$, but he's not a complete a$$. He's a strong alpha who thinks of his packs needs first more than anything else. The story kept me intrigued until the end.
I knew this was a series, but assumed it was a 3 book series only about Dominic and Tess's relationship. It's not. Dom and Tess are the first book. Tess's sister Tasha and her 2nd mate are the second book. (Whom we spent quite a bit of time with in this book.) Tess and Tasha's brother, Trevin, and his fated mate are the third book. (Who we heard little about and didn't meet at all.) During all three books is the background story of the Jarreau family (the three T's) and their family's legendary status that they didn’t even know about. This first book was not a HEA. It was a HFN. I later read somewhere that all three siblings get their HEA in the third book.
Not all questions were answered in the first book. Not even all questions about Tess's abilities were answered. So there is a bit of a cliff hanger.
Things in the book I'm extremely happy about:
1) No physical or verbal abuse between MMC & FMC.
2) No cheating.
3) No reverse harem. (Thank God!)
4) Lots of twists and surprises.
5) Tess and Tasha get along. (A nice change.)
The one thing I'm unhappy about is that this book just came out and we'll be waiting until October 2021 for Tasha's story and January 2022 for Tevin's. *sniffles and throws mini tantrum*
The book is in both Tess and Dominic's POV. The angst level is on the... I can't decide whether the high end of low or the low end of medium. Somewhere in there.
September 26, 2023
2.5 stars
I was in the mood for a rejected mate romance and saw a recommendation for this one. It started off pretty well, but the middle dragged and the author tried to set too many things up for future books. I didn’t really love any of the characters and found both main characters annoying at times. I knew Tess was going to be special, but I think things went a little too far with every male falling over themselves because of her smell. Dominic’s jealousy and over the top behavior was a lot to handle too. Honestly, I’m surprised I didn’t dnf this one.
What intrigued me most about the book was that Tess not only accepted Dominic’s rejection, but she also went on with her life and ends up rejecting him later. I think if the book had been shorter and Dominic groveled more, I would have liked this one better. I’m not planning to continue on with the series.
I read part of this book via audiobook and didn’t love the narration. Stephanie Wyles was OK overall, but Tristan James was too monotone and didn’t match growly alpha Dominic very well.
Audiobook Review
Overall 3 stars
Performance 3 stars
Story 2.5 stars
*Read via Kindle Unlimited and my local library/Libby*
I was in the mood for a rejected mate romance and saw a recommendation for this one. It started off pretty well, but the middle dragged and the author tried to set too many things up for future books. I didn’t really love any of the characters and found both main characters annoying at times. I knew Tess was going to be special, but I think things went a little too far with every male falling over themselves because of her smell. Dominic’s jealousy and over the top behavior was a lot to handle too. Honestly, I’m surprised I didn’t dnf this one.
What intrigued me most about the book was that Tess not only accepted Dominic’s rejection, but she also went on with her life and ends up rejecting him later. I think if the book had been shorter and Dominic groveled more, I would have liked this one better. I’m not planning to continue on with the series.
I read part of this book via audiobook and didn’t love the narration. Stephanie Wyles was OK overall, but Tristan James was too monotone and didn’t match growly alpha Dominic very well.
Audiobook Review
Overall 3 stars
Performance 3 stars
Story 2.5 stars
*Read via Kindle Unlimited and my local library/Libby*
March 24, 2021
This genre is what got me back into reading, so safe to say I've missed it so much. This book has reminded me why I love this genre soo much. This book is such a good page turner, I couldn't wait to follow Tess and Dominics story! They didn't disappoint. I was so intrigued as to how Tess would get over being rejected by her mate, then finding out they're double fated! Which makes this book a second chance romance too! I love seeing Tess come out of her shell throughout this book, embracing her new role even if she does try to run away about 1000 times first 😂 it's always good to play hard to get right? Haha... Dominic is your typical swoon worthy, asshole alpha male. He definitely has his hands full now!! I don't want to say anymore as I don't want to give any spoilers!! I can't wait for Tasha's story next!!
April 3, 2021
This debut PNR novel by Kelsey Gamble was amazing. She had such an original take on wolf shifters and mates. This is a REJECTED mate book but also so much more. Tess started out as the wallflower and then grew into herself to become confident take no prisoners heroine. I loved her character growth and just the confidence she exuded by the end.
Then there is Dominic... All he ever cared about was his pack and making sure he was the strong alpha he seemed. Even though he was a douche (really he was), you find out how much more there is to him. Plus he really grows on you. By the end I was rooting for him so hard and I absolutely fell for him (plus he’s super hot which helped).
What was so great about this book is it really highlighted looks can be deceiving. Just because you seem small and inconsequential, doesn’t mean you are. All I have left to say is read this book, you won’t be sorry.
Then there is Dominic... All he ever cared about was his pack and making sure he was the strong alpha he seemed. Even though he was a douche (really he was), you find out how much more there is to him. Plus he really grows on you. By the end I was rooting for him so hard and I absolutely fell for him (plus he’s super hot which helped).
What was so great about this book is it really highlighted looks can be deceiving. Just because you seem small and inconsequential, doesn’t mean you are. All I have left to say is read this book, you won’t be sorry.
December 3, 2024
okay so i was excited for this because ive seen some people say its similar to The Tyrant Alpha's Rejected Mate. but its not even close to how good that book is. i guess i expected more from their relationship, dominic didnt grovel enough.
July 15, 2021
Rejected mate romances are all the rage right now but most of them have had stories where the heroine ends up with someone other than who rejected them, which is not my preference. That's why I was pleased to see this shifter romance be the rejected mate dynamic I enjoy, and I eagerly downloaded it. Not only was that element present, but also my favorite qualities of possessive/jealous behavior by the hero and the couple fighting through a large chunk of the book. I liked that the series will feature different main couples while continuing an ongoing, overall story for the world (thus, they should be read in order), and I am definitely looking forward both to the next book in this series and for more from this new author in general.
August 1, 2021
This book is another rejected mate story where the herione has no backbone and allows a man who treated her like garbage to control her life and tell her what she can and cannot do. Do yourself a favour and skip this trash.
May 4, 2023
I really enjoy second chance romance especially when one someone makes a big mistake and they have work overtime to gain forgiveness. Unfortunately that didn't happen here with Dominic and Tess, Dominic rejects Tess literally right after her first shirt and she being the bad ass that she is accepts it because she will not whimper for someone who doesn't want her. Now it must be stated that Tess is special, but no one knows in what way, but her scent is enticing to every potential mate in a certain distance.
3 years go by, Tess has moved to her sister's pack (Tasha, her sister and Jimmy, her sister's mate) and she has "relationship" with their Alpha, Callum. Basically, Tess ran away after being rejected by Dominic and Dominic rejected her because he deemed her small stature weak and unbecoming of an Alpha's Luna, boy was he oh so wrong. Tragically, Dominic and Tess meet again under very sad circumstances, Jimmy was killed in a Rogue attack which might have been a result from a combination of events: Dominic pushing the Rogues towards Callum's lands, Callum not having the wolf power and the Rogues might have caught Tess' scent which could have pushed them to attack. Tess ran away blaming herself for Jimmy's death and was caught by Dominic's Beta, Luca which because of her scent he wanted her for himself; but Dominic finds her quickly enough.
Here's the odd part, even though they accepted the rejection their wolves still want each other, just as much as before, which should not be happening. Dominic being the asshole that he is kidnaps Tess and locks her up in his room because he doesn't want, but he doesn't her out of his sight either and he definitely DOESN'T want another man touching/looking/smelling her. Finally Dominic seeks the out the Luna Sovereign and she explains that Tess and her family is basically wolf royalty and super special; but in regards to them specifically, they are doubled fated which means yes they canceled out their first mating, but cosmos gave them another chance to mate and he better not mess it up.
So he goes back to Tess, meanwhile, Callum has been trying to get Tess back and Dominic has been blocking him and then just outright told him to leave is mate alone; the jealousy is strong with Dominic. When Dominic returns, Tess lets him know he left her with no food or clothes so basically trapped and he tried to blame her for it. They basically argue because Dominic doesn't know what to do with his "mate" and Tess despises his ass. Until word reaches the Luna Sovereign about Dominic's treatment of Tess. Tess never stops planning her escape, but Dominic has now decided that maybe she's no so bad of a mate.
When they reach the Luna Sovereign, Tess learns the truth about her family, herself and the double fated mating to Dominic; which also unleashes some type of power/ability and the spirits are talking to her. She is so livid about the double fated mates thing, she promptly rejects Dominic and he immediately says NO, then she passes out. Then Dominic does a complete 180 on his feelings for Tess and he is all in and assures his wolf that they will win her over and that reject will not be accepted.
I really wanted to like this book, but there was a lot going on and it did get confusing on what to focus on. I know this a trilogy that focus on Tess, Tasha (her sister), and Tevin (their brother), and the magically story line continues through all 3 books, but their are so many questions. Now if I just focus on Dominic and Tess, their progress was just all over the place, they start slow don't see each other for 3 years after rejection and then a few days (maybe 2 weeks) after "reconnecting" they are mating, but still don't trust each other. Dominic never apologizes and just want Tess to accept now and forget about the past and you know his kidnapping her. Then Tess goes from small and fast, but can barely fight to powerful with no control and no idea where it came from to powerful and with the knowledge on how to control it all with in a few days.
The pace of this book was basically sloooooow to fast to finish and our couple is super happy and in love. It took one date ending with sex and they realized that fate got it right, okaaay.
Maybe I will finish the trilogy later.
Why did her parents take that child?
What is up with Luca, Dominic’s Beta, playing hot potato with his mate options? He found his mate who requested they hold off on mating while she takes care of her grandmother and he seemed fine with that. Then Tess appears with her scent and he wants her as his mate not surprising. However, while watching over Morgan, Tess’ friend from her original pack, he starts developing feelings for her as well according to Tess; last I checked Morgan had her own girlfriend, so WTH?
3 years go by, Tess has moved to her sister's pack (Tasha, her sister and Jimmy, her sister's mate) and she has "relationship" with their Alpha, Callum. Basically, Tess ran away after being rejected by Dominic and Dominic rejected her because he deemed her small stature weak and unbecoming of an Alpha's Luna, boy was he oh so wrong. Tragically, Dominic and Tess meet again under very sad circumstances, Jimmy was killed in a Rogue attack which might have been a result from a combination of events: Dominic pushing the Rogues towards Callum's lands, Callum not having the wolf power and the Rogues might have caught Tess' scent which could have pushed them to attack. Tess ran away blaming herself for Jimmy's death and was caught by Dominic's Beta, Luca which because of her scent he wanted her for himself; but Dominic finds her quickly enough.
Here's the odd part, even though they accepted the rejection their wolves still want each other, just as much as before, which should not be happening. Dominic being the asshole that he is kidnaps Tess and locks her up in his room because he doesn't want, but he doesn't her out of his sight either and he definitely DOESN'T want another man touching/looking/smelling her. Finally Dominic seeks the out the Luna Sovereign and she explains that Tess and her family is basically wolf royalty and super special; but in regards to them specifically, they are doubled fated which means yes they canceled out their first mating, but cosmos gave them another chance to mate and he better not mess it up.
So he goes back to Tess, meanwhile, Callum has been trying to get Tess back and Dominic has been blocking him and then just outright told him to leave is mate alone; the jealousy is strong with Dominic. When Dominic returns, Tess lets him know he left her with no food or clothes so basically trapped and he tried to blame her for it. They basically argue because Dominic doesn't know what to do with his "mate" and Tess despises his ass. Until word reaches the Luna Sovereign about Dominic's treatment of Tess. Tess never stops planning her escape, but Dominic has now decided that maybe she's no so bad of a mate.
When they reach the Luna Sovereign, Tess learns the truth about her family, herself and the double fated mating to Dominic; which also unleashes some type of power/ability and the spirits are talking to her. She is so livid about the double fated mates thing, she promptly rejects Dominic and he immediately says NO, then she passes out. Then Dominic does a complete 180 on his feelings for Tess and he is all in and assures his wolf that they will win her over and that reject will not be accepted.
I really wanted to like this book, but there was a lot going on and it did get confusing on what to focus on. I know this a trilogy that focus on Tess, Tasha (her sister), and Tevin (their brother), and the magically story line continues through all 3 books, but their are so many questions. Now if I just focus on Dominic and Tess, their progress was just all over the place, they start slow don't see each other for 3 years after rejection and then a few days (maybe 2 weeks) after "reconnecting" they are mating, but still don't trust each other. Dominic never apologizes and just want Tess to accept now and forget about the past and you know his kidnapping her. Then Tess goes from small and fast, but can barely fight to powerful with no control and no idea where it came from to powerful and with the knowledge on how to control it all with in a few days.
The pace of this book was basically sloooooow to fast to finish and our couple is super happy and in love. It took one date ending with sex and they realized that fate got it right, okaaay.
Maybe I will finish the trilogy later.
Why did her parents take that child?
What is up with Luca, Dominic’s Beta, playing hot potato with his mate options? He found his mate who requested they hold off on mating while she takes care of her grandmother and he seemed fine with that. Then Tess appears with her scent and he wants her as his mate not surprising. However, while watching over Morgan, Tess’ friend from her original pack, he starts developing feelings for her as well according to Tess; last I checked Morgan had her own girlfriend, so WTH?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 10, 2023
Now this is the kind of series I like. I can already see that the overarching story will spread out among the Jarreau siblings with each one getting a spotlight while their siblings still deal with their own messes in the background. But it makes it clear from the beginning that this isn't going to be an issue solved in one book. It could have easily been done by just following the first couple, Tess and Dominic, but with most of the focus being on their relationship repairing, it makes sense to move on to the next person who needs healing.
At the start, as it is stated in the blurb, Tess's mate rejects her. Immediately after her first shift. No explanation is given until later when his POV is provided, three years after that day, as he inadvertently sends a group of rogues right to Tess. That moment pretty much cemented that they would see each other again.
It was also mentioned that she was dealing with suitors but I was not expecting Dominic's own loyal Beta to be one of them, lured in and seduced by whatever scent she has going on. But the moment Dominic finds her, it's over and starts an internal battle Dom has every time he sees his Beta, knowing the wolf is interested in Tess. And even when Luca backs off when he realizes his Alpha is trying to claim her, Dom is still in a rage pretty much every time Luca is too close to Tess, to the point where he physically gets between them so Luca can't see it. It makes him even more upset knowing Luca has a mate out there who he is supposed to be waiting for. But so far we get no closure with that, simply dealing with Luca silently longing for Tess despite the mate he's waiting on to be ready for him.
As much as it bothered me how Dom rejected her because he didn't think her small frame would make her a good Luna, I do understand it. I know their mates a big deal but he was an Alpha of a big pack. He needed to consider what was best for them. Now, I'm not saying it was right for him to judge Tess on the limited interactions he had had with her but he was thinking logically. Though when she comes back into his life and shows she got quite a backbone, he started to realize what a mistake he made.
I honestly thought there was going to be more with Callum's interest in Tess. But aside from trying to report Dom to the Luna Sovereign, he didn't really do much. He had admitted he was in love with Tess [I think it was just her scent drawing him in] and when he faced both Tess and Dom together, instead of respecting her wishes and removing her from his pack, he kept the bond and made multiple attempts to trespass onto Dom's land to try and reach her. I was kind of expecting more to come of all that but after Tasha is brought to the pack, Callum kind of disappears, relegated to mentions only and never anything present.
There were a few instances that could have been done different or some characters who were used differently but all in all, it was a good book. I look forward to Tasha's story with Paxton Glass, her own second chance at a mate. Though considering we get a peek at Paxton, the way he is described means he's going to have some growing to do before Tasha accepts him.
Let the fun begin.
At the start, as it is stated in the blurb, Tess's mate rejects her. Immediately after her first shift. No explanation is given until later when his POV is provided, three years after that day, as he inadvertently sends a group of rogues right to Tess. That moment pretty much cemented that they would see each other again.
It was also mentioned that she was dealing with suitors but I was not expecting Dominic's own loyal Beta to be one of them, lured in and seduced by whatever scent she has going on. But the moment Dominic finds her, it's over and starts an internal battle Dom has every time he sees his Beta, knowing the wolf is interested in Tess. And even when Luca backs off when he realizes his Alpha is trying to claim her, Dom is still in a rage pretty much every time Luca is too close to Tess, to the point where he physically gets between them so Luca can't see it. It makes him even more upset knowing Luca has a mate out there who he is supposed to be waiting for. But so far we get no closure with that, simply dealing with Luca silently longing for Tess despite the mate he's waiting on to be ready for him.
As much as it bothered me how Dom rejected her because he didn't think her small frame would make her a good Luna, I do understand it. I know their mates a big deal but he was an Alpha of a big pack. He needed to consider what was best for them. Now, I'm not saying it was right for him to judge Tess on the limited interactions he had had with her but he was thinking logically. Though when she comes back into his life and shows she got quite a backbone, he started to realize what a mistake he made.
I honestly thought there was going to be more with Callum's interest in Tess. But aside from trying to report Dom to the Luna Sovereign, he didn't really do much. He had admitted he was in love with Tess [I think it was just her scent drawing him in] and when he faced both Tess and Dom together, instead of respecting her wishes and removing her from his pack, he kept the bond and made multiple attempts to trespass onto Dom's land to try and reach her. I was kind of expecting more to come of all that but after Tasha is brought to the pack, Callum kind of disappears, relegated to mentions only and never anything present.
There were a few instances that could have been done different or some characters who were used differently but all in all, it was a good book. I look forward to Tasha's story with Paxton Glass, her own second chance at a mate. Though considering we get a peek at Paxton, the way he is described means he's going to have some growing to do before Tasha accepts him.
Let the fun begin.
March 28, 2021
Second chances and fate
Wow! I loved every second of True North. This book had my attention from the very first page and it was a full ride full of more than I could ever expect. This is a shifter supernatural/fantasy/paranormal book full of angst, romance, mystery, action, and so much more! This book starts out with meeting Tess and her life in her pack before she turns of age to shift for the first time. Once she shifts though she meets Dominic, her mate, who rejects her. She runs and makes a life in a new pack with her sister where she’s content. There’s still some questions she has unanswered like what is it about her that gets her into certain situations, where does her family come from, and is she really happy? All of a sudden there’s an attack and she’s left fleeing again but for different reasons. She ends up in a pack she wasn’t trying to go anywhere near, Dominic is all of a sudden everywhere. Tess shouldn’t be underestimated though and from there Tess doesn’t take anything. she gives as good as she gets, she’s sassy smart and just wants to belong somewhere but isn’t sure where that is. She wants to know why she’s still feeling anything towards Dominic if he rejected her? Dominic is domineering and quite frankly a jerk but he wants to know why can’t he stop thinking about Tess too? Even though Dominic can be a jerk, I couldn’t help but loving him and how much he cares in general for his responsibilities and the people close to him. Fate and second chances come knocking and Tess and Dominic have no choice but to listen. They are in for a ride with all of the weird things that keep happening and the feelings that are forming. I can’t wait for the second book in this series. Tess and Dominic have their story finished for now while they won their battles but a war is coming and I can’t wait to see where this series goes and with who. I definitely recommend reading this book!
Wow! I loved every second of True North. This book had my attention from the very first page and it was a full ride full of more than I could ever expect. This is a shifter supernatural/fantasy/paranormal book full of angst, romance, mystery, action, and so much more! This book starts out with meeting Tess and her life in her pack before she turns of age to shift for the first time. Once she shifts though she meets Dominic, her mate, who rejects her. She runs and makes a life in a new pack with her sister where she’s content. There’s still some questions she has unanswered like what is it about her that gets her into certain situations, where does her family come from, and is she really happy? All of a sudden there’s an attack and she’s left fleeing again but for different reasons. She ends up in a pack she wasn’t trying to go anywhere near, Dominic is all of a sudden everywhere. Tess shouldn’t be underestimated though and from there Tess doesn’t take anything. she gives as good as she gets, she’s sassy smart and just wants to belong somewhere but isn’t sure where that is. She wants to know why she’s still feeling anything towards Dominic if he rejected her? Dominic is domineering and quite frankly a jerk but he wants to know why can’t he stop thinking about Tess too? Even though Dominic can be a jerk, I couldn’t help but loving him and how much he cares in general for his responsibilities and the people close to him. Fate and second chances come knocking and Tess and Dominic have no choice but to listen. They are in for a ride with all of the weird things that keep happening and the feelings that are forming. I can’t wait for the second book in this series. Tess and Dominic have their story finished for now while they won their battles but a war is coming and I can’t wait to see where this series goes and with who. I definitely recommend reading this book!
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